The NHS Healthy Start scheme helps families and those who are pregnant to access healthy food, milk and vitamins. If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to a Healthy Start Card.
If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a pre-paid Healthy Start card that you can use in can use in shops that accept Mastercard payments. The card is then topped up every four weeks.
Once on the scheme, people will get:
• £4.65 each week of their pregnancy (after the 10th week of pregnancy)
• £9.30 each week for children from birth to one year old
• £4.65 each week for children between one and four years old
The payments will stop when the child turns four or if they no longer receive a qualifying benefit
You can use your card to buy:
- plain liquid cow’s milk
- fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables
- fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
- infant formula milk based on cow’s milk
You can also use your card to collect Healthy Start vitamins to support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding and vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to 4 years old.
Who can apply?
You can get Healthy Start if you:
- Have at least one child under four years old or are over 10 weeks pregnant and
- Get Universal Credit and earn less than £408 a month
How do I apply?
You can apply online at www.healthystart.nhs.uk, by calling 0300 330 7010
Have the following information with you:
- Your National Insurance Number
- Your baby’s due date (if you’re pregnant)
- Your Universal Credit statement
Support in Knowsley
To find support for families in Knowsley, visit the new Knowsley Info Hub at www.knowsleyinfo.co.uk to start your journey.
Families with children under 5 can find a range of information on the Start for Life pages www.knowsleyinfo.co.uk/start-for-life.